Established 2004

Ruddlesden geotechnical

Ruddlesden geotechnical provides ground investigation, geotechnical consultancy and contamination assessment services.

Based in Exeter, but covering the whole of the UK, albeit primarily concentrated in the South West, Ruddlesden geotechnical was formed in 2004.

Ruddlesden geotechnical works on behalf of a wide client base, including local, regional and national housing developers, housing associations, commercial developers, building contractors, structural and civil engineers, architects, building consultants, quantity surveyors, local authorities and private individuals.

Development projects range from single dwellings and extensions to large housing estates, multi-storey flats, offices, industrial units, roads, slopes, schools, hospitals and basements.

The services and projects listed on this web-site provide an indication of those undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical, but others are carried out. If your requirement is not readily identifiable on this web-site, please contact us as we may still be able to help you.

  • AGS
  • Constructionline
  • CSCS
  • SMAS
  • ECFC trust
  • Latest news

    20 Aug 2026

    Start over-winter monitoring before it is too late!

    Look at these groundwater monitoring dataloggers! Whilst some loggers are still in the ground, monitoring groundwater levels all year round, these lot were taken out of their boreholes in May or June this year, once they had proven that they had recorded the seasonal groundwater peaks.As we come towards the end of a particularly dry summer, it might seem difficult to think about monitoring groundwater levels when conditions are at their wettest. But there is considerable benefit in starting over-winter groundwater monitoring sooner rather than later.. One year, the seasonal groundwater peak will be in November, and if the loggers don’t go in the ground before then, they won’t be able to record this!With Ruddlesden geotechnical, there is no financial benefit in delaying the start of over-winter groundwater monitoring; we charge the same to start monitoring in September as we do in December

    Start over-winter monitoring before it is too late!
    Start over-winter monitoring before it is too late!
  • Recent projects

    BRE 470 Platform Design, Paignton

    A significant thickness of made ground and underlying soft clay soils was encountered during a geotechnical investigation, necessitating the use of piled foundations for a proposed residential development site in Paignton. To facilitate the piling works, a working platform was required. Ruddlesden geotechnical were commissioned to undertake design calculations to provide the thickness of the working platform required. Working platform thicknesses with and without geogrid reinforcement were calculated in accordance with BRE 470: Working Platforms for Tracked Plant. Ruddlesden geotechnical utilised the information obtained during the previous geotechnical investigation, avoiding the need for any further intrusive investigation.

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  • Recent projects

    Geophysics Provides Site-Wide Ground Profile Information, Devon

    Near-surface geophysics, comprising ground penetrating radar (GPR) and resistivity, was used to identify the presence, geometry and depth of limestone solution features at a proposed residential development site in Torbay. Following a soakaway test investigation, Ruddlesden geotechnical had concerns that the natural solution features within the limestone bedrock could inhibit the use of conventional soakaway drains at this site. Some conventional trial pitting and trenching had been undertaken with excavation plant, revealing a variable and often absent rock-head profile. Due to the variability and need to keep site disturbance to a minimum, geophysics was considered to be the most suitable method of investigation. Ruddlesden geotechnical have a good working relationship with a specialist team of geophysicists, who, under the instruction of Ruddlesden geotechnical, completed the works on this project. Following the geophysical survey and acquisition of the site, further geotechnical investigation was undertaken to confirm the profile (and depths) provided by the geophysics. The geophysics provided greater site coverage and certainty on the ground conditions, which were proven to be variable and potentially problematic.

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